Draft bests Fort in close clash

Stuarts Draft's Adam Carter dives safely back into second base before Fort Defiance's Bryce Harlow can make the tag during a pickoff attempt during the second inning of their baseball game played in Fort Defiance on May, 14, 2014. Mike Tripp/The News Leader

Stuarts Draft's Adam Carter gets tripped up as Fort Defiance's Jared Collins goes after the ball during the second inning of their baseball game in Fort Defiance on May, 14, 2014. It was ruled a foul ball causing Carter to return to third base. Mike Tripp/The News Leader

Fort Defiance's Grant Elmore receives the signal to hold up at third base from his coach during the second inning of their baseball game played in Fort Defiance on May, 14, 2014. Mike Tripp/The News Leader

Stuarts Draft's Adam Carter races back to second base when caught off base by a Fort Defiance player in a pickoff attempt during the second inning of their baseball game in Fort Defiance on May, 14, 2014. Mike Tripp/The News Leader

Stuarts Draft's Adam Carter dives safely back into second base before Fort Defiance's Bryce Harlow can make the tag during a pickoff attempt during the second inning of their baseball game in Fort Defiance on May, 14, 2014. Mike Tripp/The News Leader

Fort Defiance's Jared Collins throws to first for the out after fielding the ball during the second inning of their baseball game against Stuarts Draft in Fort Defiance on May, 14, 2014. Mike Tripp/The News Leader

Stuarts Draft's John Lefcheck throws to second base after fielding the ball while backed up by teammate Tyler Robinson during the second inning of their baseball game against Fort Defiance in Fort Defiance on May, 14, 2014. Mike Tripp/The News Leader

FORT DEFIANCE – The Stuarts Draft Cougars baseball team is surging and so is Luke Rodgers at the plate.

Rodgers drove in the game-winning run for the Cougars in the eighth inning Wednesday as they defeated the Fort Defiance Indians 8-7 in a gritty baseball clash.

With the score tied at 7 in the top of the eighth and two outs already on the board, Rodgers, the Cougars' No. 9 hitter came through with a bloop single over the shortstop's head and into center to bring home Tyler Robinson for what turned into the game-winning run.

"Luke had really been struggling this year," Stuarts Draft head coach Josh Podgorski said. "We talked to him and he has taken the challenge and responded well. He's really hitting the ball well."

The game was a back-and-forth affair throughout as the Indians jumped on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Bryce Wood dropped a two-run homer over the left field fence to give the Indians a quick 2-0 lead.

"That kid's a heck of a player," Podgorski said.

The Cougars responded in the top of the second with two runs of their own, but Fort's Clay Harris delivered a single to center to bring in another run for the Indians and give them a 3-2 lead through two innings.

Blake Burgener provided an RBI double in the third to knot the score back up at 3-3 for the Cougars.

Both teams exchanged the lead twice throughout the next three innings before Matthew Shover came through with a solo home run in the top of the seventh to save the Cougars' chances and knot up the score at 7-7.

"I love playing them," Podgorski said. "It's such a good county game. They have a good ball team. Coach (Vic) Spotts is a good coach. It's fun playing them because we always know it's a good game."

After Rodgers' hit in the top of the eighth, the Indians got a runner on base, but Bryce Harlow hit into a game-ending double play to send the Cougars home with the victory.

"That was a nice play," Podgorski said. "They did what they were supposed to do. I'm proud of them."

Podgorski added that while it's easy to get caught up in the thrill of a win like that, he told his team they needed to continue to take care of business.

"I told them out there that they did what they're supposed to do," he said. "We didn't do a lot of those things we should do today, but we are still able to come out of here with a win."

Podgorski said tough wins like these are what ultimately what will build his team's character for the long run.

"We overcame adversity," he said.

"When you play on the road, you may not get that same comfort level as you do at home. We fell behind early and had some mistakes, but we overcame and that's what we ask them to do."

With the recent turnaround to their season, the head coach said he must give all credit to his players.

"All credit goes to our players," he said. "They get all the credit. When you're 0-8 or 1-10, you can lose interest. The boys have done what they've had to do and haven't given up."

With the win, Draft now moves on to host unbeaten county rival Riverheads on Thursday.

"We're playing a team tomorrow that seems like the hottest team in America," Podgorski said. "We have to refocus and try to take care of business."